To: EANGUS Members
From: EANGUS National Office Please share the following Roll Call: Drill Weekend Talking Points with other unit members
We must maintain 25 Fighter Wings in the Air National Guard
by EANGUS Legislative Director Kevin Hollinger
The Air National Guard (ANG) is vital to the United States’ national security. With 25 fighter wings, the ANG provides a significant portion of the Air Force’s combat capability. However, the ANG is facing several challenges, including aging aircraft and budget cuts. These challenges have led some to argue that the ANG should be reduced in size. However, there are several reasons why the ANG needs to maintain 25 fighter wings.
The ANG is a cost-effective way to maintain a large fighter force. The ANG is able to operate at a lower cost than the active-duty Air Force because it relies on part-time pilots and maintainers. This allows the ANG to provide significant combat capability relatively cheaply.
The ANG is a critical part of the nation’s homeland defense. The ANG is responsible for nearly 94 percent of the homeland air defense missions. This means that the ANG is the first line of defense against any aerial attack on the United States.
The ANG is vital to the Air Force’s global power projection capabilities. The ANG can quickly deploy its fighter wings anywhere in the world. This allows the Air Force to respond to crises quickly and decisively.
The ANG is a vital part of the nation’s economy. The ANG supports over 100,000 jobs and generates over $10 billion annually in economic activity. This economic impact is felt in communities across the country.
The ANG is a source of national pride. The ANG is composed of citizen airmen who are dedicated to serving their country. The ANG’s fighter wings symbolize the nation’s strength and resolve.
The ANG is essential to deterring aggression. The ANG’s large fighter force helps to deter other countries from aggressing against the United States. By maintaining a credible deterrent, the ANG helps to keep the nation safe.
The ANG is necessary to fight and win wars. The ANG’s fighter wings have played a critical role in every significant conflict since World War II. The ANG’s fighter pilots and maintainers are some of the best in the world, and they are essential to the success of the Air Force in combat.
The ANG is essential to meet the growing threat from China and Russia. China and Russia are investing heavily in their militaries and developing new weapons and technologies that pose an increasing threat to the United States. The ANG’s fighter wings are essential to maintaining the United States’ military edge over China and Russia.
For all these reasons, the ANG must maintain 25 fighter wings. The ANG is a cost-effective, critical, and essential component of the United States’ national security. Reducing the size of the ANG would weaken the nation’s defense and put its security at risk. But still, our fighter wings remain in danger. Two states have lost their current platform of A10s and have not received word of a new platform, putting them in jeopardy of not continuing their fighter mission. Even after states put in hundreds of millions of dollars to extend runways, something that was instructed had to be complete before a new platform was assigned, there has still been no news of a new fighter platform being assigned.
In addition to the reasons listed above, there are several other benefits to maintaining a large ANG fighter force. For example, the ANG provides a valuable training ground for the active-duty Air Force. The ANG’s fighter pilots and maintainers can train side-by-side with their active-duty counterparts, which helps ensure that the Air Force is always ready for combat.
The ANG also plays a vital role in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance operations. The ANG’s fighter wings can quickly deploy to disaster areas and provide essential support to those affected. For example, the ANG played a critical role in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy.
Additionally, the ANG plays an essential role in public diplomacy. The ANG’s fighter wings participate in air shows and other events worldwide. These events help to promote the United States military and to build relationships with other countries.
In conclusion, there are numerous reasons why the Air National Guard needs to maintain 25 fighter wings. The ANG is a cost-effective, critical, and essential component of the United States’ national security. Reducing the size of the ANG would weaken the nation’s defense and put its security at risk. The Army and Air National Guard continue to suffer from budget cuts and lack of equipment even after proven they are always ready to accept any mission, regardless of size. The National Guard has activated more than 390,000 servicemembers since March 2020, displaying their value and showing that they are far more versatile than their active-duty counterparts.
Please feel free to contact Kevin Hollinger, the EANGUS Legislative Director, at (202) 670-1826 or email kevin@eangus.org for further information on maintaining 25 fighter wings in the Air National Guard.
EANGUS strongly supports the re-introduction of S. 5142 Healthcare for Our Troops Act, introduced during the 117th Congress. This legislation would have provided Reserve Component (R.C.) servicemembers with zero-cost TRICARE insurance. Additionally, this legislation expands TRICARE eligibility to R.C. servicemembers currently working for the federal government in their civilian capacity.
S.5142 – Healthcare for Our Troops Act was introduced by Sen Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Sen Susan Collins (ME) on November 29, 2022, during the 117th Congress 2nd Session.
Servicemembers are required to meet medical deployment ability requirements. An estimated 130,000 National Guardsmen and Reservists do not have health insurance under the currently disjointed systems of third-party health contractors and Periodic Health Assessments (PHAs), significantly impacting the Reserve Component’s medical readiness. Inconsistent healthcare coverage for members of the Reserve Component makes meeting these requirements difficult to achieve.
S. 5142, Healthcare for Our Troops Act, would have ensured servicemembers meet the medical standards of a deployable force at no cost to the servicemember. This change provides the Department of Defense (DoD) with a powerful recruiting and retention tool and a significant employer incentive to retain talented individuals in gainful civilian employment.
EANGUS does not believe that dental care only will make a significant improvement in medical readiness. As a last resort effort, the Reserve components use mitigating systems to provide zero-cost dental care and improve dental readiness. They currently use mass medical events with dental providers, a dental voucher system, and send servicemembers to providers near annual training facilities at the cost of the reserve components. With all these systems currently in place, there is no reason to believe that dental insurance solely would significantly improve reserve component readiness. Furthermore, no such plan, system, or program for healthcare currently exists. Healthcare issues are often more complex, time-consuming, and expensive to correct. We believe the most significant impact would be that the enlisted, especially our junior ranking members, would have to take more time away from civilian employers to complete the required dental care currently provided during their military service time.
Under current law, National Guard and Reserve servicemembers who are federal employees in their civilian capacity are ineligible to enroll in TRS. This creates confusion in coordinating benefits for servicemembers and their families and prevents servicemembers from establishing continuity of care and treatment as they deploy or transition in or out of the federal government. S. 5142 would have struck the language that disallows servicemembers from accessing TRS simply due to working for the federal government in their civilian capacity.
Don’t hesitate to contact your representative and urge them to support the re-introduction of S. 5142 into the 118th Congress by responding to this Call-To-Action.
If you have further questions regarding the Health Care for Our Troops Act, please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Hollinger at kevin@eangus.org or contact him direct at (202) 670-1826
S. 503 was introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on Feb. 16, 2023. The Senate bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., and Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev. This is the second time Feinstein and Rubio have introduced this legislation.
Companion legislation to this Senate bill was included in the last two versions of the National Defense Authorization Act introduced in the House. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., and Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., reintroduced a House version of the Space National Guard Establishment Act on May 2, 2023. The House bill was cosponsored by Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., Rep. William Keating, D-Mass., Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, and Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo.
S. 503 and H.R. 3048, if enacted, would allow the nearly 1,000 airmen currently performing space missions in the National Guard to continue executing these crucial missions unimpeded while providing the Space Force with combat surge capabilities and delivering space-trained personnel and capabilities to support domestic operations and natural disasters.
The Department of Defense is fielding two options regarding reserve components within the Space Force, but has proposed merging all space missions into a full- and part-time force with no Space Guard.
Upcoming EANGUS Events
EANGUS Legislative Quarterly Summit (LQS)
15-16 November 2023
Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC Capitol-Navy Yard
50 M St SE | Washington, DC | 20003
***RESERVATION CUT-OFF DATE IS 17 OCT***
EANGUS 9/11 Remembrance Event
Join us on a night to
Remember the Past.
Stand up for Tomorrow.
EANGUS works to improve and protect the benefits of the men and women serving in the National Guard and their families.
9/11 was a watershed moment for the National Guard. The attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, thrust the Guard into a new era of homeland defense and overseas warfighting. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the Guard mobilized more than 50,000 troops to provide security at airports, bridges, and other critical infrastructure. Guard units also assisted with search and rescue operations at Ground Zero in New York City and the Pentagon.
In the years since 9/11, the Guard has played a vital role in the War on Terror. Guard units have deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries in the Middle East. They have also supported homeland defense missions, such as Operation Noble Eagle, which involved the deployment of fighter jets to patrol American airspace. The National Guard has also been involved in a number of other domestic missions since 9/11. Guard units have responded to natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. They have also provided security at major events, such as the Super Bowl and the Olympics.
9/11 changed the National Guard in many ways. The Guard is now a more visible and active part of American life. It is also a more versatile force, capable of responding to a wide range of threats. The Guard’s role in the War on Terror and other homeland defense missions will likely continue for many years. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived,” said George S. Patton.
This event is dedicated to those who have fallen. Our 9/11 Remembrance Gala is not only about remembering and honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, it is about celebrating life and the human spirit, along with the contributions of the National Guard in furthering the future of America.
On 9/11/2024, we will gather to remember our past and thank God for our National Guard heroes.
Donate, Sponsor, and/or Attend
EANGUS Resources
FROM EANGUS PLATINUM PARTNER:
ROCKET MORTGAGE
Rocket Mortgage® is America’s largest mortgage lender,1 helping millions achieve the dream of homeownership.
The mission behind Rocket Mortgage is clear:
Make the complicated home financing process simpler using innovative technology and amazing team members.
And as a member of EANGUS, you can receive a flexible $2,000 credit to buy down your interest rate or put toward closing costs, on top of receiving support from a dedicated team of Home Loan Experts.2
Check out the following Rocket Mortgage® resources:
The Foundation has received funding from USAA for the EANGUS We Care for America National Guard Emergency Relief Grant and Interest-Free Loan Program.
Go to the EANGUS-WCFA website for the criteria to apply for WCFA Grants and Interest-Free Loans.
SPONSOR A WREATH – REMEMBER, HONOR, AND TEACH
Join us and help the EANGUS We Care for America Foundation honor local heroes. Sponsor a wreath to be placed on a Veteran’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery or a local cemetery of your choice on December 16, 2023. Your sponsorship of a wreath means you are supporting a yearlong mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
EANGUS set a goal to sponsor 100 wreaths this year and with just 75 days left, we are almost halfway there! Won’t you help by sponsoring a wreath? In addition to honoring and remembering a Veteran on National Wreaths Across America Day, the National Guard Relief Foundation will receive a $5 donation for every wreath purchased using our special link.
GIVE HAPPY WITH THE COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN!
Every year, federal employees and retirees rally to support charities they choose through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). It’s amazing to see how giving a little out of each paycheck can add up to so much happiness when we all give together….and, studies show when you GIVE HAPPY, you get happy too! The 2024 CFC Charitable Giving Period began on September 1, 2023, and will run through January 15, 2024. If you are a Federal employee, AGR, or active military, or work for another employer who offers CFC payroll deduction, please consider selecting the EANGUS-WCFA National Guard Relief Foundation (Charity Code: 11859) as your charity of choice. Federal retirees also have an opportunity to support the causes they care about by giving through the CFC via a deduction from their annuity.
Established in 1992 by EANGUS, the National Guard Relief Foundation provides emergency relief grants and interest-free loans to currently serving National Guard Airmen and Soldiers of all ranks as well as honorably discharged and retired Guard members. The financial assistance provided by the Foundation helps National Guard members who have suffered a catastrophic loss or personal hardship, as well as those impacted by natural disasters. Please join us in our mission to support National Guard members and their families; your donation will be used to provide grants to those with a verified emergency need.
To sign up for payroll deduction or get more information about the Combined Federal Campaign, go to: https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/welcome
To apply for assistance from the National Guard Relief Foundation, or make a donation directly to the Foundation, go to our website at: www.eangus-wcfa.org
Please download, post, and share this year’s NGRF CFC Flyer.
You must be a verified EANGUS member to participate.
The postcard and emails requesting membership verification are valid.
Thank you, and we look forward to your participation to capture the rich history of our EANGUS Members.
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